Accessibility links

Subscribe
All RFE/RL sites
All RFE/RL websites Follow RFE/RL on Google
site logo site logo
Previous Next
Breaking News
News

Central Europe Hit By Flooding

Czech soldiers erect metal barriers on the bank of the Vltava River in Prague.
1/11 Czech soldiers erect metal barriers on the bank of the Vltava River in Prague.
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
The statue of the late Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy partially submerged in the Vltava River outside a modern art museum in Prague.
2/11 The statue of the late Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy partially submerged in the Vltava River outside a modern art museum in Prague.
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
Cars wait on a highway over the flooded Berounka River on the outskirts of Prague.
3/11 Cars wait on a highway over the flooded Berounka River on the outskirts of Prague.
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
The northern Austrian city of Steyr
4/11 The northern Austrian city of Steyr
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
The western Austrian village of Koessen
5/11 The western Austrian village of Koessen
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
An area along the Danube River near Vienna
6/11 An area along the Danube River near Vienna
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
The Bavarian city of Passau, known as the "City of Three Rivers" because the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers all meet there.
7/11 The Bavarian city of Passau, known as the "City of Three Rivers" because the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers all meet there.
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
Passau, Germany
8/11 Passau, Germany
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
People on the second story of a building in Passau, Germany.
9/11 People on the second story of a building in Passau, Germany.
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
Rescue workers evacuate people in the eastern German city of Goessnitz.
10/11 Rescue workers evacuate people in the eastern German city of Goessnitz.
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
The Elbe River in Dresden, Germany
11/11 The Elbe River in Dresden, Germany
Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Central Europe. At least six people have died and thousands have been evacuated as floodwaters hit parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is described as the worst flooding in Central Europe for more than a decade.
Previous slide
Next slide
Floods caused by heavy rains have inundated homes and roads and forced thousands to evacuate across Central Europe.

In the Czech Republic, one woman was killed on June 2 when her house was washed away.

Czech police said three other people were missing.

In Prague, authorities shut down subway stations and erected flood barriers to protect the capital’s historic center from the swelling Vltava River.

Rising rivers have also forced hundreds to evacuate throughout western and southern Bohemia.

In Germany, states of emergency were declared and evacuations ordered as overflowing rivers flooded roads in the eastern state of Saxony, as well Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg in the south.

In Austria and Switzerland, roads and railway lines were either flooded or made impassable by landslides.

Further rainfall is expected in the region in the coming days.

Based on reporting by dpa and Reuters
​
XS
SM
MD
LG